March Into Spring

"Daffodils,

That come before the swallow dares, and take

The winds of March with beauty."

-  William Shakespeare 

This march was seldom kind, teasing with its warm days followed by winter-like weather and true to its reputation, chilly winds and lots of rain.

One cheerful flower that  continues to brighten up my garden is the long- blooming Helleborus. As everyone knows who has them they are prolific spreaders which I don't mind because and as they grow I am going to divide and spread them about my woodland garden.  I love them for their evergreen foliage as well as their bright blooms.

I need to plant more daffodils and spring-blooming bulbs .  I added alliums last Fall and as they are mid-to-late season it will be sometime in April before they bloom. 

I found this most unusual lavender  ( fern lavender ) and couldn't resist it.  Can't wait to see how it performs in the heat of summer this year.

I am continuing my search for a native rhododendron 
( Maximus 'rosebay' ) and a nearby garden center has promised to try to find one for me.   I may try PJM rhododendron as I have seen a few that have survived our hot summers and look spectacular this Spring.  My neighbor has one that is around 7 - 8 feet tall.

With Spring finally arriving the last week of March things are popping up in the garden - variegated Solomon's Seal, hostas, Japanese roof iris, viburnums, dogwood, Ajuga, Catmint, woodland phlox, butterbur, clematis, tulips, and fruit trees to name a few.

Looking forward to a nice April and praying it doesn't bring us a late season freeze this year.